Dusty In Memphis by Dusty Springfield released on Atlantic Records in 1969, value £50

BORN Mary O'Brien, Dusty Springfield's transition from pop/folk act The Springfields with her brother Tom and friend Tim Field to the pinnacle of being the greatest white soul singer the UK has ever produced was quite phenomenal and often turbulent, writes MICHAEL BROOKS. The previously shy convent girl with the beehive blonde hairstyle and dark panda eye make up was consistently in the best selling singles chart with a string of unforgettable hits, eventually beating off stiff opposition from her contenders Lulu, Sandie Shaw and Cilla Black to become an international megastar. During this time, especially in the early sixties she campaigned tirelessly to promote the then little known rhythm and blues, soul and upcoming Tamla Motown record labels, recording her own version of black American soul music and becoming friends with many of the artists. This led her to be known as 'The White Queen Of Soul'. Dusty often remarked, "I only come alive singing the soul music."

Dusty In Memphis was recorded in 1968 and released in '69. It sold poorly when it was first released by Atlantic records. It failed to chart in the UK and only made No 99 in the USA but over the years it has long been acclaimed by critics as being one of the greatest albums of all time. It features one of her biggest selling hits Son Of A Preacher Man, as well as contributions from songwriters, Gerry Goffin and Carole King, Barry Mann and Cynthia Weil, Michel Legrand, Randy Newman and Burt Bacharach, whose talented input have made this the classic album that it is. One music critic wrote, "It will be the kind of record that will sell for years because it's admirers will need replacement copies." It is certainly an album to sit and listen and give your undivided attention to. Not only is this Dusty's finest work it is unanimously acknowledged as one of the greatest soul albums of all time, recorded with the best Memphis session players, including backing vocals by the Sweet Inspirations who recorded with Elvis. The greatest stars are the ones who have not only terrific voices but also distinctive ones. No one sounds like Dusty but listening to a fragment of a song from her, she is unmistakable. A talented lady and what a loss her premature death was for everyone who loved her music.